Jim Leishman has paid tribute to a ‘loveable rogue’ as Dunfermline today commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of legendary former skipper Norrie McCathie.
McCathie, aged 34, and girlfriend Amanda Burns passed away on January 8, 1996, after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning at their home.
The defender’s huge contribution to the Pars, in playing 576 times in nearly 15 years with the club, is recognised by the fact one of the stands at East End Park was named in his honour.
The club’s supporters paid homage when a substantial crowd of 5,641 turned out on Saturday as the Fifers used their derby against Cowdenbeath to mark the sad milestone.
And Leishman, who was McCathie’s manager at Dunfermline for nearly seven years, has spoken of his memories of a player who was worshipped by Pars fans.
The 62-year-old, an honorary director at the club, said: “Saturday was a really, really nice tribute to Norrie and it was great from our point of view that we won the game.
“Norrie was at Dunfermline for a long, long time and served the club so well in that time, playing so many games.
“At the start of his career, I’m sure he wouldn’t have thought he would play so many games in the Premier League, but he gave his all for the club.
“All his pals will tell you he was a bit of a rogue. Him and John Watson would have been up to things I would never find out about, but you got what you saw on a Saturday and that’s why the fans loved him so much.
“It was a real tragedy what happened in the end, a real shock to everybody, and I’m glad the supporters have been given the chance to remember him 20 years on.”
